Method and apparatus for highly efficient compact vapor compression cooling

Abstract

The subject invention pertains to a method and apparatus for cooling. In a specific embodiment, the subject invention relates to a lightweight, compact, reliable, and efficient cooling system. The subject system can provide heat stress relief to individuals operating under, for example, hazardous conditions, or in elevated temperatures, while wearing protective clothing. The subject invention also relates to a condenser for transferring heat from a refrigerant to an external fluid in thermal contact with the condenser. The subject condenser can have a heat transfer surface and can be designed for an external fluid, such as air, to flow across the heat transfer surface and allow the transfer of heat from heat transfer surface to the external fluid. In a specific embodiment, the flow of the external fluid is parallel to the heat transfer surface. In another specific embodiment, the heat transfer surface can incorporate surface enhancements which enhance the transfer of heat from the heat transfer surface to the external fluid. In another specific embodiment, an outer layer can be positioned above the heat transfer surface to create a volume between the heat transfer surface and the outer layer through which the external fluid can flow.

1. A condenser, comprising:
 a heat transfer surface, wherein the condenser acts as a heat exchanger so that heat is removed from a compressed refrigerant by a first external fluid in thermal contact with the heat transfer surface of the condenser; and a means for flowing the first external fluid along the heat transfer surface of the condenser such that the flow of the first external fluid along the heat transfer surface is substantially parallel with the heat transfer surface of the condenser, wherein the flow of the compressed refrigerant is substantially perpendicular to the flow of the first external fluid, wherein the condenser has a substantially tubular shape having a first end and a second end, wherein the flow of the first external fluid along the heat transfer surface is in a direction from the first end of the condenser to the second end of the condenser, wherein the first external fluid flows along the heat transfer surface without having a component of flow of the first external fluid perpendicular to the heat transfer surface. 
 
     
     
       2. The condenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the flow of the first external fluid along the heat transfer surface is from the first end of the condenser to the second end of the condenser. 
     
     
       3. The condenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the flow of the compressed refrigerant is substantially parallel to the heat transfer surface. 
     
     
       4. The condenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the compressed refrigerant flows substantially parallel to a curve of the heat transfer surface. 
     
     
       5. The condenser according to  claim 4 , wherein the external fluid flows substantially parallel to the curve of the heat transfer surface, such that the compressed refrigerant and the external fluid flow in substantially parallel curves. 
     
     
       6. The condenser according to  claim 5 , wherein the compressed refrigerant and first external fluid flow substantially perpendicular to each other. 
     
     
       7. The condenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the substantially tubular-shaped condenser comprises an exterior side and an interior side. 
     
     
       8. The condenser according to  claim 7 , wherein the heat transfer surface is on the interior side of the substantially tubular shaped condenser. 
     
     
       9. The condenser according to  claim 8 , wherein a volume is formed by the heat transfer surface. 
     
     
       10. The condenser according to  claim 9 , wherein the condenser comprises a second surface, wherein the second surface is substantially parallel to the heat transfer surface, wherein the second surface is on the exterior side of the substantially tubular-shaped condenser. 
     
     
       11. The condenser according to  claim 1 , further comprising a dividing wall wherein the compressed refrigerant flows on a first side of the dividing wall and the first external fluid flows on a second side of the dividing wall. 
     
     
       12. The condenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the condenser acts as a heat exchanger so that heat is removed from compressed refrigerant vapor by the first external fluid in thermal contact with the heat transfer surface of the condenser such that the temperature of the compressed refrigerant vapor decreases below the saturation temperature of the refrigerant and the refrigerant vapor condenses to liquid refrigerant, wherein compressed refrigerant vapor flows into the condenser, wherein heat is removed from the compressed refrigerant vapor by the first external fluid in thermal contact with the heat transfer surface of the condenser such that the temperature of the compressed refrigerant vapor decreases below the saturation temperature of the refrigerant and the refrigerant vapor condenses to liquid refrigerant. 
     
     
       13. The condenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the compressed refrigerant from which heat is removed by the first external fluid in thermal contact with the heat transfer surface flows through the condenser such that the flow of the compressed refrigerant is helical. 
     
     
       14. The condenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the first external fluid is air. 
     
     
       15. The condenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the first external fluid is water. 
     
     
       16. The condenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat transfer surface of the condenser comprises an enhanced surface geometry, wherein the enhanced surface geometry enhances heat removal by the first external fluid. 
     
     
       17. The condenser according to  claim 16 , wherein the first external fluid is ambient air, wherein the enhanced surface geometry of the heat transfer surface of the condenser comprises a plurality of extended surface features, wherein the plurality of extended surface features increase the surface area of the heat transfer surface of the condenser compared with a base surface area of the heat transfer surface of the condenser. 
     
     
       18. The condenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the first external fluid is ambient air, and wherein the means for flowing the first external fluid across the surface of the heat transfer surface of the condenser is a fan. 
     
     
       19. The condenser according to  claim 12 , wherein the extended surface features increase the surface area of the exterior surface of the condenser by at least a factor of 2 compared with the base surface area of the exterior surface of the condenser. 
     
     
       20. The condenser according to  claim 13 , wherein the flow of the compressed refrigerant is from the first end to the second end. 
     
     
       21. The condenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the flow of the first external fluid across the heat transfer surface is such that substantially all of the first external fluid flows in a direction from the first end of the condenser to the second end of the condenser. 
     
     
       22. The condenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the flow of the first external fluid along the heat transfer surface is parallel with the heat transfer surface of the condenser. 
     
     
       23. The condenser according to  claim 2 , wherein the flow of the first external fluid along the heat transfer surface is parallel with the heat transfer surface of the condenser.